Reconstruction of the Jonušas Radvila Palace into a Museum in Vilnius (LT)

Radvilas Palace „Afterlife” The main design assumptions is to restore this original layout of the Palace and to bring back its strong architectural presence. This approach will enable to experience the building complex as a complete architectural composition, similar to the one from its origins. Spirit of the place will be brought back and the place will get a new life. The complex will now host a museum of world art and design. The surroundings of the complex will became a vivid public space, creating a new attractive place in the city. 1. Urban idea The archival print by Marcelis Januškevičius shows a clear U-shaped layout of the Radvilos Palace from before the Vilnius fire during the Moscow War. The wall with two gates surrounded a rectangular courtyard and the main entrance to the palace was located in the central 3-storey pavilion. One of the main design assumptions is to restore the original layout of the Palace. We recreated the dimensions of the central pavilion with the eastern wing, and the southern pavilion. The internal square is entered through an openwork arcade supported by a light pillar structure. In front of the Museum, we designed large fields of greenery with tall trees, transplanted from the present courtyard. 2. Architectural idea The existing west wing has been completely adapted to exhibitory functions. The hall, as it was not covered by conservator’s protection, will most likely require reorganization with elements of reconstruction - with cleaning and maintaining the current size and structural elements. After the reconstruction, it will constitute an impressive exhibition space of great value. The reconstruction in modern form and original size will include the southern and central pavilion with the adjacent eastern wing. The extension will be completed by the planned gallery cloister with two pavilions - a café and a kiosk. The building architecture is created by subdued and clearly articulated facades with large glazing and vertical divisions, balanced by solid wall surfaces. The hipped roofs are divided into a skylight floor and a roof slope. The new structure manifests openness and signals the public nature of the building. Thus, it complements and balances the palace-like and more egalitarian form of museum buildings. To harmonize the structure - the extension respects the cornice lines, especially the prominent crowning cornice. 3. Description of the proposed solutions for the competition area – the land parcel (zone A) and its adjacent areas (zone B): 3.1. functional layout of the spaces to be occupied by the designed complex. A diagram(s) of the functional links can be provided Zone B was designed as an urban green square. It is an open and defined public space, providing relaxation among greenery. Long benches surrounding the green fields favor integration between residents. The green fields are mostly covered by lawn that encourages visitors to enter and relax freely. Zone A includes two semi-public spaces: a courtyard and a cloister. A pathway leading to the central pavilion divides the Museum courtyard into two areas. To the left there is an amphitheater with 500 seats - the existing difference in terrain levels contributes to such shape. To the right, there is a square covered by flat permeable surface. The whole courtyard is complemented by an alley of formed trees providing shade for the café visitors. The gallery cloister also has a twofold character. Its roof protects against sun and rain, and the residents and visitors can use the two pavilions - a café and a shop. Upstairs, we have planned a terrace for summer outdoor exhibitions, accessible through an independent staircase with an elevator. 3.2. Solutions for pedestrians, non-motorised transport, traffic circulation and parking. It is allowed to submit schemes of pedestrian, non-motorised transport, transport movement in the Competition territory, the site and its approaches A bicycle path has been preserved along the road, with a pavement that smoothly transforms into paths between the green fields. In line with the competition requirements, there is no parking space in zone B. Its possible location will be the subject of further design work based on the planning data. The area is also planned to include bicycle stands. Deliveries will be conducted in the unloading area located in the lower right wing at the central pavilion. Then, the exhibits will go in two directions - directly to the large exhibition hall, or via an elevator and an underground corridor to the warehouse located at the junction of the west and south pavilions. Two freight elevators - one at the west pavilion and the other in the new west wing – will be used to transport goods vertically between the exhibition floors and to the multi-purpose room under the hall. 3.3. The concept of the pavement /coatings proposed for the Competition territory, the site and its approaches. Description of the material solutions for the coatings, preferably, providing visual analogues The design aims to use surfaces that allow natural drainage of rainwater. Hence, most of zone B is green, allowing water to seep into the ground. Hardened accesses are made of reinforced concrete slabs with a refined surface. The benches, which also constitute lawn edges, are made of precast concrete. The surface in zone A is mostly formed by hardened and permeable gravel and brick mix, complemented by concrete slabs as in zone B. All surfaces are light, so as not to raise the ambient temperature. 3.4. The plantations and greenery grouping solutions proposed for the Competition territory, the site and its appoaches. A conceptual landscaping scheme can be provided The square in front of the Museum is formed by large rectangular green fields. We replanted there tall trees currently located in the Museum courtyard. Doing so is a good alternative to replacement plantings and an increasingly popular solution on construction sites in city centers. Thanks to this, the square will immediately receive large trees and consequently, shade and an appropriate atmosphere. Underneath, we designed natural vegetation from native species, including flowers and suggest sowing the remaining area of rectangular green fields with grass. In the Museum courtyard, we proposed a double row of smaller shaped trees growing out of the permeable gravel and brick layer. 3.5. Lighting solutions proposed for the competition area – the site and its approaches In zone B, we propose to use the existing city lanterns that illuminate the strip of land parallel to the road. The paths in the square leading towards the museum plot are illuminated by luminaires placed under the benches around the green fields. In addition, we propose a gentle upwards illumination of the trees with spotlights placed on the ground. In zone A, most of the outdoor lighting will come from the cloister gallery, ceiling fixtures and floodlights illuminating the square. As in the case of zone B, we propose a gentle upwards illumination of the trees with spotlights placed on the ground. 3.6. The proposed small-scale architectural solutions in the Competition territory, the site and its approaches Small-scale architecture within the entire area, such as litter bins, bicycle stands, lighting fixtures and standing ads, are designed in the same material – powder-coated light gray steel. 3.7. Use of essential green/sustainable solutions offered in the Competition territory, the site and its approaches, conceptual engineering solutions Due to the historic context, we have limited the sustainable design to simple and effective decisions that do not require complicated technological solutions. Large green areas and numerous plantings are intended to reduce the heat island effect and support natural drainage of rainwater to the ground. The key design assumption was to locate the underground volume within the buildings and overground roofs, which will allow for the natural vegetation of trees and plants without the need to create green flat roofs. 3.8. the conformity of the Competition territory and the site and its approaches with the principles of universal design A horizontal tactile marking of the main communication paths was designed. The entire outside area is accessible to wheelchairs - in the amphitheater, an off-road ramp was added. As part of the development, we want to supplement the elements of visual identification with typhlographic plans for the visually impaired. In both areas A and B there are drinking water fountains. 3.9. Landscaping phases of the site and its approaches In zone A, we plan to change the level of the square to reveal the original ground level next to the existing buildings of the Museum west wing. We propose to transfer the humus layer from this area to the green fields on zone B. Additional land leveling would help in obtaining maximum accessibility for the disabled. 4. Description of the solutions of the designed complex 4.1. Functional layout of the building complex We located the main entrance to the Museum in the reconstructed central pavilion. From here, paths will lead visitors to the most important areas leading through the main staircase. We have located the exhibition spaces in the existing north wing, in the hall and on the first floor of the right wing. The central pavilion will lead to a multifunctional room with 500 seats and a café with a shop located on the ground floor of the right wing. A multi-functional room was placed under the hall to limit the built-up area. The southern wing is dedicated to office space. Additionally, part of the northern wing’s top floor in the vicinity of the exhibition was devoted to offices of the exhibition department and the education department. The two pavilions would provide public functions transferred from the square in front of the Museum - a café and a souvenir kiosk. The underground levels house warehouses (between the south and west pavilions), a multi-functional room located under the hall, as well as supply facilities for deliveries and the multi-functional room. This led to limiting the need to deepen the basements and create underground storeys under the protected museum buildings. Only the basement under the western pavilion would be deepened. 4.2. Description of solutions for the movement and distribution of visitors and staff of the building complex. Conceptual schemes can be provided The main staircase is located in the new central pavilion. It leads to exhibitions and a multi-purpose hall. The existing west wing is served by two designed staircases with lifts. The southern pavilion is served by two staircases with lift risers - one for office staff and the other for the visitors – both leading to the exhibition terrace above the basement. Horizontal corridors for the staff connecting the office segment in the southern pavilion with the remainder of the Museum complex lead through the underground part. The Museum sections related to exhibitions and event animation are located near the exhibition on the highest level of the west wing. 4.3. Materials of the building complex We propose to finish the facades of the designed buildings with light, noble, colored plaster, or with longitudinal bricks. Vertical pilasters and cornices are made of light prefabricated concrete. The light cloister gallery leading to the square is built in a framework steel structure with plates, prefabricated from prestressed concrete. The interior public parts, such as staircases and lobbies, are to be finished in bright, durable materials. Important elements (e.g. counters and cloakrooms) and spaces (e.g. information points or a café) can be distinguished on their background. The multi-functional hall is equipped with a modular, folding auditorium, adapting it to various events. The walls and ceiling form acoustic structures suspended to a heavy monolithic structure. In the new exhibition spaces - the hall and in the right wing - oblong skylights have been introduced, thanks to which natural filtered lighting will bring out the beauty of the presented exhibits. The existing buildings will undergo a major renovation of their interior, facade and roofing. The detailed scope of renovation and better adaptation to the museum function can be determined after the conservation studies have been carried out. On their basis, decisions will be made regarding material solutions in the interior. At the stage of the competition, it was assumed that all interiors, except for the oldest part, would have bright materials that would constitute the background for the future exhibition. In the only preserved part, the revealed details and frescoes are to be emphasized. Furthermore, we plan expose the existing basement walls under the southern pavilion. 4.4. Use of essential green/sustainable solutions of the building complex, conceptual engineering solutions (if such solutions are envisaged) We plan to locate PV panels in the western part of the hall, if it does not have a negative impact on the historical outlook. Warehouses requiring special ambient conditions have been grouped together in a new underground part under the cloister gallery. As a result, the energy expenditure on cooling them has been limited in a natural way. Similarly, the multi-functional room with high heat gain was located in the underground part. We also plan to use gravity and hybrid ventilation to the maximum. In order to reduce electricity consumption, new exhibition spaces in the hall and the eastern wing as well as the central staircase are planned to be additionally illuminated with natural light. 4.5. The essential structural solutions of the building complex (essential diagram(s)); The over- and underground pavilions are constructed in monolithic reinforced concrete technology. The structure of the underground part of the southern pavilion is made of peripheral reinforced concrete walls to expose the remains of the original building. In order to place a multi-functional room under the hall, we plan to re-construct its walls, clean and maintain the steel structure of the roof. The cloister leading to the square is planned to be made of a framework steel and reinforced concrete structure. As part of the existing buildings, it is assumed that secondary walls and those that do not fulfill a structural function will be removed to obtain larger exhibition areas. A detailed construction expertise will indicate the scope of necessary activities within the historic part of the museum, such as reinforcement or replacement of ceilings, reinforcement of foundations and reconstruction of roof truss. 4.6. Essential engineering solutions of the building complex The museum complex will be equipped with sanitary installations, including ventilation, air conditioning, also in the warehouses. Where possible, we plan to use gravity and hybrid ventilation. In addition, we designed electrical and teletechnical installations, including collections security, a multimedia installation and the necessary fire protection measures. Technical rooms for the management centers are located in the underground part and on the top floor (unused attics). Intakes, launchers and other external elements of the installation will be integrated into the body of the buildings. 4.7. Essential fire safety solutions for the building complex; The fire route will be provided from the neighboring streets and from the square in front of the building with the use of the municipal fire extinguishing system. We plan to equip the buildings with permanent fire extinguishing devices, emergency and evacuation lighting and fire alarm installation. In the existing part, additional staircases have been designed that meet fire regulations. The detailed scope of fire solutions and the division into fire zones will be determined after issuing the fire expert opinion. 4.8. Compliance of the building complex with universal design principles; We plan to equip the building with typhlographic markings and tactile plans. The selected places (e.g. counters and information points) will be equipped with induction loops for the hearing impaired. All public areas have access for the disabled through lifts and possible hoists/ramps in historic buildings. 4.9. Phases of the construction; The construction will be carried out in stages. The first stage will focus to protect the existing buildings, strengthen the foundations and the overground structure along with the demolition of secondary buildings in the north-eastern part of the plot. The existing trees will be replanted to zone B. During the second stage, a central pavilion with a new wing will be built and the hall rebuilt. The third stage assumes building a southern pavilion and a cloister gallery with underground warehouses along with a square in front of the building. 5. General (building) indicators of the site (zone A only) and of the future and existing buildings. The following data is required to submit in form of a table of general building indicators: area of the site, intensity of development of the site, density of development of the site, total area of the building complex, volume of the building complex, number of storeys, height of the building complex. Indicators must be separately identified: a) existing conditions only, without the proposed (new) buildings, b) only the proposed (new) buildings, c) final version with existing and proposed (new) buildings;